Sewing machine



Sept. 25, 1962 s. ADLER 3,055,325

SEWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1958 1o sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Sept. 25, 1962 Filed Feb. 5, 1958 v S. ADLER SEWING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Solomon Adler ATTORNEYS Sept. 25, 1962 s. ADLER SEWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1958 1o sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. Solomon Adler BY Y ATTORNEYS S. ADLER SEWING MACHINE Sept. 25, 1962 1o sheets-Sheet 4 Pig. 4

Filed Feb. 5. 1958 JNVENTOR Solomon Adler BY gub/wm ATTORNEY Sept. 25, 1962 s. ADLER 3,055,325

SEWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5. 1958 1o sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR. Solomon Adler ATTORNEYS Sept. 25, 1962 s. ADLER 3,055,325

SEWING MACHINE Filed Feb. 5, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Solomon Adler ew/@awww ATronnEYs S. ADLER SEWING MACHINE Sept. 25, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Feb. 5, 1958 INVENTORY Solomon Adler ATTORNEYS S. ADLER SEWING MACHINE Sept. 25, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 lFiled Feb. 5, 1958 /IVVENTOR Solomon Adler ATTORNEYS S. ADLER SEWING MACHINE Sept. 25, 1962 1o sheets-sheet 9 Filed Feb. '5, 1958 FIG.|5

FIG. I6

/NVE/VTOH. Solomon Adler by J,

ATTORNEYS S. ADLER SEWING MACHINE Sept. 25, 1962 Filed Feb. 5, 1958 INVENTOR. Solomon Adler 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 www@ www

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ATTORNEYS @rates Unite The present invention relates lto an improved sewing machine of the automatic zigzag types, and more specilically, to a sewing machine of: the automaic zig-zag type having a feed dog capable of moving in lany desired direction.

In the known automatic zig-zag sewing machines, when it is desired to produce a pattern of ornamental stitching lbeyond the range of the needle bar amplitude, it is necessary to cancel the feed dog iaction against the workpiece so as to enable the operator to manually move the cloth in a direction and for a distance in accordance with the pattern desired. To facilitate the production of various sizes of ornamental pattern stitching a combination embroidery-hoop and pantograph device has been additionally proposed for .attachment to the usual sewing machines. In these and other instances, sewing operations are usually relatively slow, inefficient, cumbersome, inaccurate and require considerable skill of the operator. 'These salient defects of all the known so-called automatic zig-zag embroidery sewing machines are effectively overcome by the present invention.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the cloth being stitched may be fed in :any desired direction by a `feed dog capable of movement in lany Ldesired direction relative to a reciprocating and vibrating needle bar soas to produce ornamental pattem stitching in unlimited varieties, effects` and congurations.

Still another object is to provide a sewing machine which will function automatically to control and direct the feeding lof cloth to a needle to produce desired patterns of any size and conguration through the medium of given pattern cams.

A further object is the provision of readily changeable pattern cams and pattern cam engaging means for controlling the feeding of cloth in a predetermined direction for a predetermined distance, and additionally, for controlling lateral reciprocation of `a needle bar at a predetermined amplitude to automatically obtain desired pattern stitching.

An important object is the provision of means actuated by a single knob to enable an operator without the aid of skill to produce any variety Iand size of ornamental embroidery pattern stitching.

Another important object is the provision of a sewing machine assembly of improved construction embodying relatively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in design and which parts may be readily manufactured and assembled to lfunish a mechanism capable of operating lover substantially long periods of time with `freedom from substantially all difficulties.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. l is an elevational View partly in section of a sewing machine incorporating the various features of this invention with certain parts broken away, removed or illustrated schematically;

FIG. 2 -is a sectional plan View through the sewing machine housing on a substantially horizontal plane which includes the upper main shaft with certain parts removed or shown schematically;

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan View of the machine bed on a substantially horizontal plane which includes the lower main shaft with certain parts removed or shown schematically;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along lthe line 4--4 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view showing the control mechanism for horizontal feeding;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of FIG. 3;

lFIGS. 7a to 9b are schematic illustrations of the operation of the control lever for horizontal feeding for particular pattern stitchings;

FIG. l0 is an enlarged end View of the mechanism in the lsewing machine head locking in the direction of the standard with certain parts broken away;

FIG. l1 is an enlarged sectional view through the machine bed taken substantially along the line ll--ll of FIG. 3;

FIG, 12 is a side view of the forked lever and associated elements lfor controlling the lateral oscillation of the needle bar viewed from the rear of the sewing machine with certain parts broken away, removed and shown in section;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view through the overhanging aum taken substantially along the line 13-13 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a rearwardly viewed side elevation of a portion of the linkage illustrated in FIG. 13 for purposes of showing relative positioning of parts to decrease the lateral oscillation of the needle bar;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the overhanging arm taken substantially along the line it-15 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cam shatt and associated components, with certain parts broken away and removed, employed for automatic needle bar oscillation and cloth feed control;

FIG. 17 is a partially sectional view of the cam shaft and associated components substantially through the ratchet regulator shaft, with certain parts broken away and removed;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the cam shaft and `associated components with the overhanging arm cover removed, with certain parts broken away and shown in phantom;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

`FIG. 20 is a sectional side view through the machine housing taken substantially along the line 2il-20 of FIG. 1S with certain parts broken away and removed;

FIG. Z1 is a perspective view of the cam shaft and associated cam surfaces of FIG. Z0;

lFIG. Z2 is a sectional View of the upper portion of the cam shaft taken substantially along the line 22-22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional view through the machine housing substantially along the line l23-23 of FIG. 18, With certain parts broken away and removed;

FIG, 24 is a transverse sectional view along the line 24-24 of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 25 is a perspective View of the feed dog and adjacent components with certain parts broken away and removed.

The automatic zig-zag sewing machine according to the present invention comprises the usual lcommon bed 1. A standard Z rises vertically from common bed l and presents an overhanging arm 3 extending substantially horizontal and parallel to common bed 1. At the free end of overhanging arm 3 a downwardly projecting head 4 is provided which has wall portions thereof conveniently removable in order that components located interiorly thereof may be readily accessible. The top wall portion of overhanging arm 3 advantageously includes an arm cover 5 which is removable to expose the interior of overhanging arm 3.

An upper main drive shaft 6 is substantially horizontally and rotatably supported in appropriate bearings in overhanging arm 3. Upper main shaft 6 has one end thereof extending into head 4 to iixedly mount crank plate 7. The other end of upper main shaft 6 is suitably coupled to a power source, as for example, by means of a conventional pulley and handwheel assembly 3. Through the medium of the usual connecting linkage 9, a needle 10 and needle mounting bar 11 are connected to crank plate 7. As is well-known in the art, needle bar 11 will now be adapted to reciprocate in an up-and-down direction upon the rotation of upper main shaft 6.

In addition, head 4 may present a conventional thread take-up device 12 comprising the normal four-bar links. Furthermore, as evidenced by FIG. 10, a conventional upper thread tensioning device may extend from the walls of head 4 together with other conventional structural elements commonly associated with a head of a sewing machine.

A lower main shaft 13 is rotatably supported in appropriate bearings by common bed 1 and is substantially parallel to upper main shaft 6. Lower main shaft 13 and upper main shaft 6 are adapted to be rotated through the same number of revolutions by means of a pair of spiral |gears 15 and 16 which are respectively mounted on main shaft 6 and a vertical shaft 14 which is rotatably mounted in standard 2. A pair of bevel gears 17 and 18 are respectively mounted on vertical shaft 14 and lower main shaft 13 and are also responsible for this similarity of rotation of shafts 13 and 6.

A gear box 19 is supported by common bed 1 and is disposed substantially beneath head 4, substantially as shown in FIGS. l, 3 and 1l. Adjacent the other end of lower main shaft 13 and mounted on the latter is a spiral gear 20. Meshed with spiral gear 20 is a spiral gear 21 mounted on hook drive shaft 22 which is conveniently rotatably supported by gear box 19. The gear ratio of spiral gear 2G and spiral gear 21 is preferably 1:2, in order that hook drive shaft 22 makes two revolutions in one sewing cycle. Mounted on hook drive shaft 22 is a bobbin case holder 23 supporting a bobbin case 24. A beak or thread loop taker 25 extending from a rotary hook 26 is additionally provided substantially as shown. The provision for having hook drive shaft 22 and consequently the mounted components traverse two revolutions to each revolution of upper main shaft 6 is conventionally employed in most commercial sewing machines.

The usual adjustable presser foot 27 is utilized and projects from a presser bar 28 which extends from head 4. As will be apparent from FIG. 10, the usual linkage enables the sewing machine operator to raise the lower presser bar 28 and consequently presser foot 27. Similarly, means are additionally provided for adjusting spring tension to regulate the pressure exerted by presser foot 27 on a cloth workpiece properly supported on common bed 1.

A needle bar support 29 reciprocally supports needle bar 11. A needle bar support frame 29a is substantially xedly included in the structure of head 4 to limit the amount of lateral displacement of needle bar support 29. Needle bar support 29 is pivotally supported by pivot or hinge pin 30. The lower end of needle bar support 29 pivotally receives a forked link 31 by means of hinge pin 29h. The free end of forked link 31 forms a :fork or bifurcation 32, the functioning of which will become apparent from that which will follow.

Intermediate the ends of upper main shaft 6 a depending spiral gear 33 meshes with a spiral gear 34 mounted on shaft 35 which in turn is rotatably supported by the walls of overhanging arm 3. With particular reference to FIGS. l, 2, l2 and 13, it will be seen that a heartshaped cam 36 is additionally mounted on shaft 35 and may even be integrally formed with spiral gear 34. Spiral gear 34 and heart-shaped cam 36' each make one revolution for two sewing cycles. This is attributable to the selection of gear ratios of spiral gears 33 and 34. As

will be observed, the forked or bifurcated portion 32 of link 31 embraces heart-shaped cam 36.

A sliding block 37 is pivotally mounted on link 31 by means of pivot 37a. Channeled carrier 38 is pivotally mounted by stud 38a to the front wall of overhanging arm 3 and slidably receives sliding block 37. The lower end of channeled carrier 38 pivotally receives, by means of pivot 39, a link 5t) which will be described in detail shortly.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 16-24, additionally included on the main shaft 6 and disposed intermediate the ends thereof is an eccentric cam 4() which upon rotation actuates a ratchet 41 through the cam follower arm 40a. Ratchet 41 includes structural elements which will impart intermittent rotational movement to cam shaft 42 when ratchet 41 is caused to rotationally oscillate upon the rotation of upper main shaft 6 by means of eccentric cam 40 and cam follower arm 46a. An adjustable ratchet regulator 41a is positioned adjacent the upper face of ratchet 41 and is mounted on one end of ratchet regulator shaft 41b which in turn is rotatably supported by the walls of overhanging arm 3. The other end of ratchet regulator shaft 41h includes a ratchet regulator knob 41e` which permits the sewing machine operator to turn shaft 41b and consequently ratchet regulator 41a. A ratchet spring 41d has its free ends connected to the wall of overhanging arm 3 and to ratchet 41 substantially as i1- lustrated. Accordingly, when ratchet spring 41d is properly biased, cam follower arm 40a will tend to remain in contact with the cam surfaces of eccentric cam 40. It will be observed that the exposed end face of ratchet regulator 41a is beveled in order that the distance between ratchet regulator 41a and stop 41e may be varied for any particular relationship of cam follower 40a with eccentric cam 40 by suitably rotating ratchet regulator knob 41C. In this connection, the duration of contact of cam follower arm 40a on the cam surfaces of eccentric cam 40 will be controlled by the adjustment of ratchet regulator 41a with respect to stop pin 41e. Consequently, the amount of counterclockwise rotation of ratchet 41 can be governed thereby controlling the amount of rotational displacement of shaft 42 for each rotational oscillation of ratchet 41.

As will be apparent by now, cam shaft 42 is rotatably mounted by ratchet 41 which in turn is rotatably mounted by outwardly extending surfaces of overhanging arm 3. A cam body 42a is mounted on the upper end of cam shaft 42 and is adapted to rotate with the latter. A cam nut 42b may be threadedly mounted on cam shaft 42 to properly retain cam body 42a in proper relationship with respect to cam shaft 42. Disposed between recessed or raised portions of the outer surface of cam shaft 42 and interior surfaces of ratchet 41 are 'rollers 42C and springs 42d (FIGS. 23 and 24.). Rollers 42c are urged against ratchet body 41 by springs 42d to facilitate changing the rotational oscillation or ratchet 41 to intermittent rotational movement of cam shaft 42. Thus, when ratchet 41 rotates in one direction, shaft 42 will be forced to rotate, whereas shaft 42 will not rotate when ratchet 41 rotates in the other direction.

Cam body 42a presents three cam surfaces; namely, cam surface 43 for automatically controlling the needle bar zig-zag movement, cam surface 87 for automatic forward and reverse feed control, and cam surface 88 for automatic lateral feed control (FIG. 2l). A cam engaging pin 44 is fixed to the outer end of a cam follower 45 and engages cam surface 43. Cam follower 4S in turn is mounted on shaft 46 which is rotatably supported by inwardly-extending portions of overhanging arm 3. Reference is now made to FIGS. l, 2, and l2 through 15. The free end of shaft 46 suitably mounts a xed link 48 which presents an arc-shaped surface y47. A properly positioned stop pin 48a is located substantially as shown and may extend from interior surfaces of overhanging arm 3. An engaging pin 49 extends from link 50 and functions to engage arc-shaped surface 47 of fixed link 48. Link 5t)` is pivotally mounted on channeled carrier 38 by pivot 39 as previously mentioned. A slot 50a is provided in link 50 adjacent engaging pin 49. A spring Stlb .is attached to link 50 and pin 50c which may extend from interior surfaces of overhanging arm 3.

Furthermore, a manual Width control shaft 51 is rotatably mounted by surfaces of overhanging arm 3 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 12). O11 the interior end of width control shaft 51 a stitch width control arm 52 is securely mounted `for rotation with shaft 51. An engaging pin 52m extends from the -free end of arm 52 into slot 56a of link 50.

In operation, when the upper main shaft 6 is rotated by properly disposed means, as for example, a belt and hand wheel assembly 8, the cam shaft 42 will rotate at a varied speed depending on the position of the ratchet regulator 41a with respect to stopt pin 41e. Accordingly, cam body 42a will rotate, and by means of selected cam surface 43, will impart an oscillatory movement to the cam follower 45 through cam-engaging pin 44.

The oscillating movement of cam follower 45 is transmitted to the link 48 through shaft 46. The oscillation of link 48 is then transmitted to the channeled carrier 38 through link 50 and rotationally oscillates channeled carrier 38 around stud 38a. The degree of inclination of `the channeled carrier 38 will consequently control the effective pivot points for forked link 31 as well as the amount of the lateral oscillating movement of the needle bar 11. As will be appreciated by those skilled in .the art, link 31 and heart-shaped cam 36, when functioning alone, will not impart a Ilateral oscillatory movement to needle bar 11 because the pivot for forked link 31 will be located entirely -at pivot 29h. However, lateral oscillating movement of the needle bar 11 will be induced by the amplifying component supplied by the degree of inclination of channeled carrier 3S, as provided by the degree of its pivotal movement about stud 38a. Thus, by varying the inclination of channeled carrier 38, the amount of lateral oscillation of needle -bar 11 may be increased or decreased. In this connection, when the side faces of channeled carrier 38 are substantially normal to a radial line extending from pivot 29b, the pivot `for yforked link 31 will be only at pivot 29b because sliding block 37 will -freely slide in channeled carrier 38 upon the oscillation of forked link 31 imparted by heart-shaped cam 36. When channeled carrier 38 is other than normal to this radial line, rotation of heart-shaped cam 36 will transmit an amplifying component to channeled carrier 3S through sliding block 37 to displace pivot 29b, thereby causing lateral oscillation of the needle bar 11.

To manually operate the degree of lateral oscillation of needle bar 11 to` produce desired stitch patterns, cam body 42a is removed from cam shaft 42. This removal causes llink 48 to be free from the influence of cam surface 43 and through spring 50!) is urged into abutting relationship with stop pin 48a. The engaging pin 49 may then be positioned at different points on the arc-shaped surface 47 of link 48 by simply rotating with control shaft 51. Consequently the movement of link 50 may be varied to` change the degree of inclination Iof channeled carrier I38. In this regard, when pin 49 is at the uppermost portion of arc-shaped surface 47 land in coincidence with the axis of shaft 46, link 50 Orients channeled carrier 38 so that the latter is ineffectual in supplying an amplifying component and does not impart any movement to link 31. By lowering pin 49` with respect to the axis of shaft 46 to be disposed adjacent other portions of the arc-Shaped surface 47 by simply rotating the stitch width control shaft 51, the needle bar 11 will be caused to oscillate laterally through the numerous linkages to produce a zig-zag stitch. Accordingly, the manual manipulation of shaft 51 as well as the automatic movements induced by cam surface 43 in relation to the reciprocation of the needle bar and the feeding of the fabric on common bed 1 will cause .a variety of pattern stitch formation.

The control of the multi-feed motion of feed dog 53 is arranged to -be in proper phase with the operation of the needle bar operating mechanism, thread take-up device and hook mechanism. In this connection and with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 11 and 25, a vertical feed cam 54 and horizontal feed cam 55 are securely mounted on rotatable lower main shaft 13. A vertical feed shaft 56, a lforward-reverse feed shaft 57, a lateral feed shaft 58 and a horizontal feed intermediate shaft or stud 59, are rotatably mounted in the Walls of common bed 1, substantially as shown in FIG. 3. A forward-reverse feed shaft 57 has formed thereon a pair of upright supporting arms 60 and 61. A feed bar 62 suitably carries feed dog 53 and is mounted on a feed bar shaft 63. Shaft 63 is rotatably and slidably supported by the arms 60 and 61 which extend from forward-reverse feed shaft 57.

As clearly shown in FIG. 25, feed bar 62 has formed therein a forked or bifurcated portion 64. In engagement with vertical feed cam 54, lby means of a forked or bifurcated portion extending therefrom, is a forked link 65 fixed on vertical feed shaft 56. A roller 66 is carried by an arm 67 which is xed to vertical feed shaft 56 .and conveniently engages surfaces of bifurcated portion 64 of feed bar 62.

Pivoted tot the wall of common `bed 1 by stud 59` is a lhorizontal feed link 68. This feed link 68 presents a forked portion 69 which embraces the horizontal feed cam 55 mounted on lower main shaft 13. Additionally, horizontal lfeed link 68 includes spaced side walls 70 and 71 which support shafts 72 and 73. Shafts 72 and 73, together with stud 59, are arranged to be disposed substantially in the same plane. Slidable along shafts 72 and '73 are forward-reverse motion sliding block 74 and lateral motion sliding block 75, respectively. An arm '76 is carried by forwardareverse feed shaft 57 and is connected to connecting llink 77. Similarly, arm 78 extends from lateral feed shaft 58 and is suitably joined to connecting link 79. Connecting links 77 and 79 are respectively coupled with sliding blocks 74 and 75.

A spiral gear 80 is mounted on lateral feed shaft 81 which is rotatably supported by walls of common bed 1 in substantially normal relationship with respect to lateral feed shaft 58. A similar spiral gear 82 is mounted on lateral feed shaft 58 and engages with spiral gear 80. A crank pin 83 extends from crank 84 which is securely mounted on lateral feed shaft 81. A forked member 85 is fixed to shaft 63 and presents a forked portion 86 which receives crank pin 83.

In View of the foregoing structure, it will be apparent that ythe feed dog 53 can move in any direction at its elevated position. An upward and downward movement of feed dog 53 is accomplished by imparting a predetermined rocking motion to arm 67. Arm l67 rocks as a result of tne rocking of vertical feed shaft 56 induced by the rocking of forked link 65 which engages vertical feed cam 54, rotatable with lower main shaft 13.

Forward and reverse movement of the feed dog 53 upon rotation of lower main shaft 13 is initiated by horizontal feed cam 55. Horizontal feed link 68, which engages horizontal feed cam 55 through forked portion 69, rocks around stud 59 and imparts a rocking action to horizontal feed link 68 and consequently shaft 72. When forward-reverse sliding block 74 is olf-center with respect to the axis of stud 59, connecting link 77 will force arm 76 to rock forward-reverse shaft 57. Consequently arms 60 and 61 will drive feed bar 62 and naturally feed dog 53 in a forward and reverse direction.

The lateral movement of feed dog 53 is additionally originated by horizontal feed cam 55 which rocks horizontal feed link 68 by means of forked portion 69 around the axis of stud 59. When lateral motion sliding block 75 is offset with respect to the aXis of stud 59, connecting link 79 will induce arm 78 to rock lateral feed shaft 58. Consequently, spiral gear 82 will rotationally oscillate spiral gear 80. Crank pin S3 will then rock around the axis of lateral feed shaft 81 through crank 84. Forked member 85 will impart a sliding reciprocating action to feed bar shaft 63, which will reciprocate feed bar 62 and consequently feed dog 53 in a lateral direction.

The amount and direction of the forward-reverse movement of the feed dog 53 during one sewing cycle is determined by position of the sliding block '74 on shaft 72. When block 74 is positioned approximately at the middle of shaft 72, nor forward-reverse movement is given to feed dog 53 because the axis of stud 59 and thus the center of shaft 72 is a neutral point about which shaft 72 rocks. By increasing the distance that block 74 is from this neutral point, the forward-reverse movement of the feed dog 53 will correspondingly increase. The particular direction, namely, forward or reverse, is decided by moving block 74 downward or upward with respect to the subject neutral point. The same principle of operation which applied to determine the amount and direction of the forward and reverse feed is also applicable to the amount and direction of the lateral movement of the feed dog 53. Thus, by properly shifting sliding blocks 74 and 75 with respect to this neutral point, a combination of forward-reverse and lateral movements in any selected amounts can be imparted to the feed dog. Accordingly, the feed dog 53 can move in any desired direction.

The forward-reverse and lateral movements of the feed dog 53 can be automatically controlled; and this may be accomplished by utilizing cam body 42a mounted on cam shaft 42. As mentioned above, cam body 42a may be formed with a cam surface 87 for forward and reverse feed control and cam 88 for lateral feed control. For convenient engagement with cam surfaces 87 and 88, respectively, cam followers S9 and 90 may be employed. Cam followers 89 and 90 extend from cam follower bodies 91 and 92, respectively, rotatably mounted on shaft 93 which is fixed to overhanging arm 3. Cam follower bodies 91 and 92 additionally include forked portions 94 and 95. Forked portions 94 and 95 are respectively connected to connecting links 77 and 79 by means of connecting rods 112 and 113. The lower end of the rods 112 and 113 are transversely bent, with a part of the bent portion disposed within holes suitably bored in links 77 and 79, respectively. In FIG. 3, it will be noted that the terminal end of the bent portions project upwardly in order to prevent disassociation of the rods 112 and 113 from their associated links 77 and 79. Turnbuckles 114 and 115 may be suitably coupled with connecting rods 112 and 113, respectively, to adjust the effective length of the corresponding connecting rod and consequently the positioning of sliding blocks 74 and 75 with respect to the axis of stud 59. Additionally, springs 116 and 117 may be suitably biased respectively between the forward-reverse feed shaft connecting rod 77 and arm 76, and between the lateral feed shaft connecting rod 79 and arm 78. Accordingly, means are provided which will tend to urge connecting rods 77 and 79 downwardly, thereby insuring engagement of cam surfaces 87 and 88, respectively, by cam followers 89 and 90. Thus, by properly selecting particular configurations for cam surfaces 87 and 88, one may automatically obtain controlled and variable forward-reverse and lateral movements of feed dog 53.

Within standard 2 a beveled gear 96 is carried by vertically and pivotally supported shaft 97 substantially as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. A bevel gear 98 is carried by a rotatable sleeve 99 suitably supported by standard 2. Beveled gear 9S is disposed in meshing engagement with beveled gear 96. A shaft 100 is rotatably mounted in the bore of sleeve 99 and may have surfaces of an exposed end formed into suitably flat parallel faces. A feed control lever 101, with attached linger gripping knob 10111, is included within standard 2 and may be oriented to lie in a substantially horizontal plane. A pair of forked portions 102 and 103 are arranged to embrace a square portion provided on the hub of bevel gear 96. Forked portions 104 and 105 extend from the body 106 of the feed control unit which additionally includes forked portions 102 and 103 as illustrated in the drawings. A hinge pin 107 conveniently extends through forked portion 104, shaft and forked portion 105. A forked portion 10S is provided on a shift lever 109 extending from shaft 100, and is adapted to shift the position of connecting rod 112 to obtain a particular forward or reverse movement of feed dog 53. A second forked portion is included in the structure of another shift lever 111 extending from sleeve 99 and is adapted to function to alter the position of connecting rod 113 for attaining a particular lateral feed motion of feed dog 53.

When the feed actuating structure is manually controlled the cam body 42a is selected such that its cam faces 87 and S8 will not affect the transverse horizontal movement of the feed dog 53 when the gripping knob 101a is held in its neutral position. Consequently, by shifting the gripping knob 101a upwardly or downwardly, or right or left, the levers 109 and 111 are rotated around the axis of the shaft 100 to move the rods 112 and 113, respectively, along the surfaces of the associated fork portions 94 and 95. As a result of these movements, the connecting links 77 and 79 will rotate above the pivots against the bias of the springs 116 and 117, respectively, to thereby change the degree of movement of shafts 57 and S8. Accordingly, the amplitude of forward and backward motion, as well as right and left movement, of the feed dog 53 are changed and controlled.

Thus, by moving feed control lever 101 in a vertical plane, a definite forward-reverse feed is imparted to feed dog 53 and consequently the length of stitches is controllable. This is attained by the shifting of shift lever 109 through shaft 100 and hinge pin 107 by movement of lever 101 in a vertical plane. By moving this lever 101 in a horizontal plane, the lateral movement of the feed dog 53 is controlled by the displacement of forked portion 110 of shift lever 111 through the shifting of bevel gears 96 and 98 and sleeve 99. The degree of displacement of feed dog 53 for each particular sewing cycle, either in a horizontal, reverse or lateral direction, is dependent upon the displacement of feed control lever 101 from its neutral position.

Referring now to FIGS. 7a to 9b, it will be observed that many patterns and decorative alphabet letters are possible according to the present invention by suitably setting and manipulating the feed control lever 101. When a circular pattern is desired, the sewing machine operator can set feed control lever 101 at a location from its neutral point substantially as shown by numeral I (FIG. 7b). This amount of displacement of lever 101 from its neutral point will determine the stitch length obtainable by a particular displacement of feed dog 53. Thus, upon proper selection of the desired stitch length, lever 101 is then rotated to circumscribe a circular trajectory at a substantially uniform speed. The direction of movement of feed dog 53 as represented by the numbered tangents (FIG. 7a) corresponds to the locations of lever 101 from its neutral point as identified with similar numerals (FIG. 7b). If an elliptical pattern is desired, the speed of rotation of lever 101 around its neutral point is varied at points along the transcribed circle where one desires the major and minor axes. Thus, for a particular stitch length, various sized circular patterns are obtained by selecting the speed of rotation of lever 101 about its neutral point. With a particular stitch length selected, various arcuately shaped patterns are also possible by correspondingly increasing or decreasing the speed of rotation of lever 101 along the transcribed circle.

In FIGS. 8 (a) and (b) an S-shaped pattern is stitched by circumscribing the major portion of a circle with lever ltl and then returning to the selected starting position. Thus, by shifting lever 101 through the portions of a circle identified by numerals I to VII (FIG. 8(b)) at a substantially uniform speed, and then returning said lever over the same path of the transcribed circle as represented by numerals VIII to XII (FIG. 8( 12)) to the initial starting point, the S-shaped configuration of FIG. 8(a) is attained.

In FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) a stitched N-shaped pattern is obtainable by a particular deliberate displacement of lever M1 with respect to its neutral point. Thus, by selecting a desired stitch length and shifting lever 101 to a location I (FIG. 9(B)) in a vertical plane corresponding to this stitch length, lever 101 can be maintained at this location for a length of time sufficient to arrive at the desired length of the leg I (FIG. 9(a)) for the selected N-shaped pattern. Then by deliberately shifting lever 10i to a location II (FIG. 9(b)) on the circular arc determining the selected stitch length, the diagonal II (FIG. 9(a)) of the N-shaped pattern is stitched. When the diagonal attains a sufficient length, lever 101 is deliberately shifted to point III (FIG. 9(b)), which is substantially similarly disposed from the lever neutral point as the lever starting point I (FIG. 9(b)). The remaining leg III (FIG. 9(cz)) of the N-shaped pattern is then stitched. When the desired length of the leg is obtained, lever lill is returned to its neutral point.

Thus it will be apparent from the foregoing that the numerous objects and advantages of the present invention are effectively attained; and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a sewing machine having a vertically reciprocable needle and feed dog, means for moving said feed dog in substantially any selected horizontal direction for substantially any selected distance, said means comprising in combination: a drive shaft; an up-and-down motion mechanism coupled with said drive shaft and said feed dog for imparting up-and-down movement to said feed dog in response to movement of said drive shaft; a forward-reverse motion mechanism coupled with said drive shaft and said feed dog for imparting selectable forwardreverse movement to said feed dog in response to movement of said drive shaft; a lateral motion mechanism coupled with said drive shaft and said feed dog for imparting selectable lateral movement to said feed dog in response to movement of said drive shaft; a manually operable forward-reverse-and-lateral feed control mechanism coupled to said forward-reverse motion mechanism and said lateral motion mechanism for individually varying the forward-reverse movement and lateral movement imparted respectively to said feed dog by said forwardreverse motion mechanism and said lateral motion mechanism and for variably combining the forward-reverse movement and lateral movement of said forward-reverse motion mechanism and lateral motion mechanism, respectively, and said manually operable mechanism having a single control member for effecting its operation.

2. In a sewing machine the combination comprising: a first rotatable main shaft; a reciprocable needle; means coupled with said needle and said first main shaft for reciprocally moving said needle in a substantially up-anddown direction in response to rotation of said first main shaft; a feed dog adapted to move in substantially any direction; a second rotatable main shaft coupled for rotation with said first main shaft; an up-and-down motion mechanism coupled with said second main shaft and said feed dog for imparting up-and-down movement to said feed dog in response to rotation of said second main shaft; a forward-reverse motion mechanism coupled with said second main shaft and said feed dog in response to rotation of said second main shaft; a lateral motion mechanism coupled with said second main shaft and said feed dog for imp-arting selectable lateral movement to said feed dog in response to rotation of said second main shaft; and a forward-reverse and lateral -feed control mechanism coupled to said forward-reverse motion mechanism and said lateral motion mechanism for individually 'varying the forward-reverse motion and lateral movement imparted respectively to said feed dog by said forward-reverse motion mechanism and said lateral motion mechanism and for variably combining the forward-reverse movement and lateral movement imparted by said forward-reverse motion mechanism and lateral motion mechanism, respectively, and said control mechanism including a manually controlled means for eecting the individual and combined forward-reverse and lateral movement of said feed dog, said manually controlled means having a single control member for effecting its operation, and a cam means for automatically effecting the forward-reverse and lateral movement of said feed dog.

3. In Va sewing machine the combination comprising: a first rotatable main shaft; a recipr-ocable needle; means coupled with said needle and said first main shaft vfor reciprocally moving said needle in a substantially 11p-'anddown direction in response to rotation of said first main shaft; a feed -dog adapted to move in substantially any direction; a second rotatable main shaft coupled for rotation with said first main shaft; :an up-and-down -motion mechanism coupled with said second main shaft and said feed dog for imparting up-and-down movement to said feed dog in response to rotation of said second main shaft; a forward-reverse motion mechanism coupled with said second main shaft and said feed dog for imparting selectable forward-reverse movement to said feed dog in response to rotation of said second main shaft; a lateral motion mechanism coupled with said second main shaft `and said feed dog for imparting selectable lateral movement to said feed dog in response to rotation of said second main shaft; and a :forward-reverse and lateral feed control mechanism coupled to said forward-reverse motion mechanism and said lateral motion mechanism for individually varying the forward-reverse motion Iand lateral movement imparted respectively Ato said feed dog and said forward-reverse motion mechanism and said lateral motion mechanism and for variably combining the forward-reverse movement and lateral movement imparted by said forward-reverse motion mechanism and lateral motion mechanism, respectively, and said control mechanism having a single control member for effecting its operation.

4. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 3 wherein a selectable and interchangeable cam body is coupled with and variably rotatable with respect to said first main shaft, said cam body being cooperable with said means cooperable to reciprocate said needle in a substantially lateral direction, said forward-reverse motion mechanism and said lateral motion mechanism to automatically pnovide individual and combined controlled lateral reciprocation of said needle, forward-reverse movement of said feed dog and lateral movement of said feed dog, respectively.

5. In a sewing machine having a feed dog,

means for producing up and down reciprocating movements of said feed dog,

means for producing forward-reverse reciprocating movements of said feed dog,

means for producing lateral reciprocating movements of said feed dog,

a first control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for producing forward-reverse reciprocating movements of said feed dog in order to control the amount of the forward-reverse move- Iments of said feed dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion for the particular up and down movement of said feed dog,

a second control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for producing lateral reciprocating movements of said feed dog in order to control the amount of lateral movements of said feed -dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion for the particular up and down movement of said feed dog,

a single manual control member,

connecting means arranged between said manual control member and the first control means for operating the latter upon movement of the manual control member in a certain direction, and connecting means arranged between said manual control member and Vthe second control means for operating the latter upon movement of the manual control member in a direction normal to said certain direction,

whereby the movemnt of said feed dog is controlled in any direction and by any amount by said single manual control member.

6. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 5 wherein said sewing machine further includes a rotatable cam body having a pair of cam tracks,

a pair of cam followers,

spring means for biasing each of said cam followers Itowards one of said cam tracks,

one of said cam followers being connected to said first control means and the other cam follower being connected to said second control means,

whereby the movement of said feed dog is automatically controlled in any direction and by any amount by said cam body.

7. In a sewing machine having a rotary main shaft,

a needle bar,

means for coupling said needle bar to said main shaft for imparting up and down reciprocating movements to said needle bar upon rotation of said main shaft,

a feed dog arranged beneath said needle bar,

means for producing up and down reciprocating movements of said feed dog in response to rotation of said main shaft,

means for producing forward-reverse reciprocating movements of said feed dog in response to rotation of said main shaft,

means for producing lateral reciprocating movements of said feed dog in response to rotation of said main shaft,

a first control means arranged between said feed dog and `said means for producing forward-reverse reciprocating movements of said feed dog in order to control the amount of the forward-reverse movements of said feed dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion upon rotation of said main shaft,

a second control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for producing lateral reciprocating movements of said feed dog in order to control the amount of lateral movements of said feed dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion upon rotation of said main shaft,

a single manual control member,

operative connections arranged between said manual control member and said first control means for operating the latter in response to movement of said manual control member in a certain direction,

and operative connections arranged between said manual control member and said second control means for operating the latter upon movement of said manual control member in a `direction substantially normal to said certain direction.

8. In a sewing machine having a frame,

a main shaft rotatably mounted in said frame,

a needle bar mounted in said frame for up and down reciprocating movement,

connecting means arranged between said main shaft and said needle bar for imparting up and down reciprocating movement to said needle bar upon rotation of said main shaft,

a feed dog arranged beneath said needle bar,

means for producing up and down reciprocating movements of said feed dog upon rotation of said main shaft,

means for producing forward-reverse reciprocating movements of said feed dog upon rotation of said main shaft,

means for producing lateral reciprocating movements of said feed dog upon rotation of said main shaft,

a first control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for producing forward-reverse reciprocating movements of said feed dog in order to control the amount of forward-reverse movements of said feed dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion upon rotation of said main shaft,

a second control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for producing lateral reciprocating movements of said feed dog in order to control the amount of the lateral movements of said feed dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion upon rotation of said main shaft,

a single manual control member having one end mounted in said frame and the other end projecting therefrom,

operative connections arranged between said manual control member and said first control means for operating the latter only by the movement of the projecting end of said control member in a certain direction,

and operative connections arranged between said manual control member and said Second control means for operating the latter only upon movement of the projecting end of said control member in a direction substantially normal to said certain direction.

9. In a sewing machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said sewing machine further includes a cam body having a pair of cam tracks,

means for rotating said cam body upon rotation of said main shaft,

a pair of cam followers,

spring means for biasing each of said cam followers towards a cam track of said cam body,

and connecting means arranged between said cam followers and said control means for automatically controlling the effective feed motion.

10. In a sewing machine for sewing zig-zag stitches and having a vertically and laterally reciprocable needle,

means for controlling the lateral reciprocating movements of said needle,

a feed dog arranged beneath said needle,

means for imparting up and down reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

means for imparting forward-reverse reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

a first control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for imparting forward-reverse reciprocating movements to said feed dog in order to control the amount of forward-reverse movement of said feed dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion for the particular up and down reciprocating movements of said feed dog,

a second control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said feed dog in order to control the amound of the lateral movements of said feed dog and thereby the direction of effective feed motion for the particular up and down reciprocating move- `ments of said feed dog,

a single manual control member,

means connecting said manual control member to said first and second control means in order to operate said rst control means only upon movement of said manual control member in a certain direction and to operate said second control means only by moveand having a needle adapted to reciprocate laterally,

means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said needle,

a first control means arranged between said needle and said means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said needle in order to control the lateral movements of said needle,

a feed dog arranged beneath said needle,

means for imparting up and down reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

means for imparting forward-reverse reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

a second control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for imparting fonWard-reverse reciprocating movements to said feed dog in order to control the forward-reverse movements of said feed dos,

a third control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said feed dog in order to control the lateral movements of said feed dog,

a single manual control member,

means connecting said manual control member to said second and third control means in order to operate said second control means only upon movement of said manual control member in a certain direction and to operate said third control means only by movement of said manual control member in a direction substantially normal to said certain direction,

whereby the movement of said feed dog is controlled in direction and amount by -said manual control member to produce zig-zag embroidery having substantially any curve and round in a constant zig-zag bite, and

an exchangeable single rotary cam body having three cam tracks, three cam followers,

spring means for biasing each of said cam Ifollowers towards one of said cam tracks of said cam body,

whereby the lateral movements of said needle and the forward-reverse and lateral movements of said feed dog are automatically controlled by said cam body in order to produce a particular pattern of embroidery.

12. In a sewing machine for sewing zig-zag embroidery and having a needle adapted to reciprocate laterally,

means for imparting'lateral reciprocating movements to said needle,

a first control means arranged between -said needle and lsaid means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said needle in order to control the lateral 14 movements of said needle, a feed dog arranged beneath said needle,

means for imparting up and down reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

means for imparting forward-reverse reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said feed dog,

a second control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for imparting forward-reverse reciprocating movements to said feed dog in order to control the forward-reverse movements of said feed dos,

a third control means arranged between said feed dog and said means for imparting lateral reciprocating movements to said feed dog in order to control the lateral movements of said feed dog,

a single rotary cam body having three cam tracks,

three cam followers,

spring means for biasing each of said cam followers towards one of said cam tracks of said cam body,

whereby the lateral movements of said needle and the forward-reverse and lateral movements of said feed dog are automatically controlled by said cam body in order to produce a particular pattern of embroidery, and

two manual control members, one of Said manual control members being connected to said first control means for controlling the operation of said rst control means and thereby the lateral movements of said needle, the other of said manual control members being connected to said second and third control means in order to operate the second control means by movement of said other control member in a certain direction and to operate the third control means by movement of said other control member in a direction substantially normal to said certain direction,

whereby the zig-zag embroidery produced by said cam body is varied by said manual control members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,783,060 Stephenson Nov. 25, 1930 2,064,221 Roseman Dec. 15, 1936 2,152,766 Lewin Apr. 4, 1939 2,755,754 Urscheler July 24, 1956 2,757,626 Kisaku Fujita Aug. 7, 1956 2,854,935 Benink et al. Oct. 7, 1958 2,895,439 Lipfert July 2l, 1959 2,905,119 Bono Sept. 22, 1959 2,941,485 Johnson June 21, 1960 2,966,868 Theenhausen et al. Ian. 3, 1961 2,976,830 Vigorelli Mar. 28, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 525,946 Italy May 12, 1955 1,129,952 France Sept. 17, 1956 1,139,759 France Feb. 18, 1957 

